Another year is in the books and it’s time for the annual listing of the 100 biggest songs that ranked among my weekly top 40 chart from December 2013 to November 2014. It was magical year full of MAGIC! and “Magic” and a lovely twelve months of lovable hits from James Blunt and The Fray. We went “home” with A Great Big World and Andy Grammer, spun around in a “dance” with Milky Chance and Walk The Moon and ended up here with all that was awesome in the year we called 2014.

Peak positions listed are as of the last chart included in the year dated November 30, 2014. Those entries marked with a plus sign (+) had not yet reached their peak position as of the date. Ties in points were broken based on peak, number of weeks at peak and number of weeks in the top 40.

“If only New York wasn’t so far away.” Simple words, yet a poignant statement. It’s a line that I quoted several times in 2014. The duo of Axel and Vaccarino got gleeful in early 2013 when their track “This Is The New Year”, first recorded by Axel as a solo act a few years ago, found a second life through the television show Glee. That led to a record contract and eventually to the huge ballad that was “Say Something”, first released as a solo version and then in a duet with singer Christina Aguilera. To many, “Say” remains the group’s signature song, and it remains an active recurrent on many radio stations across the Hot AC and CHR panels. Yet, for me, the sentiment of “Already Home” strikes a stronger chord because of who I am now. It’s the dream of the big city and the feeling of belonging and being loved. I feel like it was written for me, even if it really wasn’t.

I didn’t expect “Already” to move up so quickly, but when it hit, it hit hard. During the first week of April, it leaped from #39 to #24, and I guess it was obvious from there that it was going straight to the top. The duo take the title for the longest run at the top this year at a robust seven weeks, but that marks yet another year that the song that spent the most weeks at #1 is not at #1 on the annual Top 100. This last occurred in 2012. Nevertheless, it made a very nice impact on my personal chart. Hot AC radio, on the other hand, gets a slap on the wrist for having this stall out in the 20’s. Really, guys? Can we, you know, have a quality song chart well next time? Is that so much to ask?

Axel and Vaccarino are currently on my chart with their cover of “I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas”, though given the proximity to the holiday, it’s not going to last beyond this week. Do check it out if you haven’t heard it already – their remake is exceptionally fun and a great fit for the season. I’m sure the guys will be recording once again in 2015, but whether we hear it or not, well, I’m not quite sure yet. I shall be anticipating it, regardless. Also, if the two ever get a chance to score a musical, I fully approve. (That idea is probably a ways off, but you never know.) Thanks for a lovely 2014, guys, and here’s to a more permanent “home” on my top 40 chart for many years to come.